There are different groups responsible for recycling and waste operations, Sort it Out Bins and waste removal services. Learn who to contact if you have an issue with recycling or waste on campus.
Inside Buildings
Academic Buildings
UBC Custodial Services takes care of the waste bins and recycling stations in academic buildings. This includes emptying and cleaning the bins and stations, and moving bins from inside the building to the loading dock where they are collected - among many other tasks.
Athletics and Residence Buildings
In student residences and some Athletics facilities, staff from those organizations provide custodial services.
Outside Buildings
UBC Waste Management collects waste from buildings on the academic campus, and transports it to different locations for processing, recycling and disposal including:
- Food scrap waste is collected and taken to an off-campus composting facility for processing into soil amendment
- Paper, cardboard and containers waste is collected an taken to off-campus commercial recycling service providers
- Garbage is collected and taken to the Vancouver Waste Transfer Station for disposal in landfill.
UBC Waste Management also collects the waste and recycling from the outdoor garbage cans and recycling stations, with the exception of within student housing and some Athletics areas.
There are many other waste streams that are collected at different points on campus. These are outlined in the A-Z Recyclepedia.
Sorting of Waste
Once placed in a recycling station or bin, waste sorting is no longer responsibility of UBC staff. Sorting must be done by all users on campus in order that UBC can minimize garbage going to landfill and maximize diversion of materials to composting and recycling. Contamination of food scraps composting and recycling not sorted properly increases landfilling and increases UBC’s costs to manage the waste.
Other Key Contacts
If you are experiencing any issues with recycling stations indoors or outdoors, or if there is a need for additional recycling bins:
- For academic buildings and campus: contact Building Operations, telephone: 604 822 2173
- For student residences: contact your Facility Manager.